New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-28

succeeding canvass of Hayes, Of Garfield ana r Of
saG%onieus relations and views two such
S S9SDss and 'i Horace Greeley a. S
beginning consplrcd to urge Greeley TO inccpcn'nnS
ssG Fl. s e sS Rsr' Of his a
vast majority Of tho voters were apparently f@
lowed Immediately by his sleopless watcunt! lor
weeks by the bedside Of his dying WIFE, brain fever,
episodes and romantic tragedies In American politics:
Mr. Greeey delighted In political IF csn,arv
this strong thner and master Of tho most ds ysofGas s
t hhsIn fo or vast masses Of bis In
tho ant-savery movement In the struggle ioa " ,hn
pcarance legislation in al moral reforms ne Mas anS
outraged beyond restraint when the hrst shot was
fired the nag he demanded that tho rebel sou p oS
pOughed with cannon balls and sown with SAT- anu
bis clarion rang through the land Ike trumPes
blast calling all loyal to a1 nnsco S with slavery
abolished bo rccoilcd appalled, from further boo"heu
Unlike most strong natures, he harbored no re.
sentiments and was Incapable Of revenge wh hcnd ' ~
rebellion was crushed he went upon the Ssa 9a peDes
and cOnfscatons, and in the hope OF amnesty reI IN,
citation and brotheriy reunion upon the pass Wo S
Alb aham Lincoln With his views that only tho ASIA
naSn of the s saa been
passionate lover OF Henry Clay and three times nau
him set aas oi ipr cor s concedng to
Grant position as tho foremost Captain of his time,
civil affairs, feared the result of his no1percnc6S ana
intensely disliked his advisers To lresdcn1 o ,h;s
the Other band the great editor cram Alter the
unfortunate results Of some OF the temporary anu
Cre.ey conceived the idea that the latt rebels and
shareholders could be induced, in return for tho iu
amnesty to accept the amendments to the Consttu-
ton the freedom and citizenship OF the slave; tho
WIFI hear u
Republic reconstructed on these conditions; anu as
or P iGr thsr i and republican
tho problem OF reconstruction and peace WouId Ds
oS.d the amazing Spectacle Of these people in
vcntion assembled, soemnly declaring that the ODD
m abe sS vi t aSa pocsl rights Of the freedmen
the honest payment Of the National debt 70 tno
soldiers were unaitcrabe and sacred and then nomn;
atng for President one who had SAID more harsn anu
Done more effective work for the overthrow q ali
their principles and traditions than any man tse hV cy
dences of repentance then promised has been grantee
and enjoys even more than Mr. Greeley propose
TO the fierce assaults made at tho timc upon his
theory and authorizations That large majority o., o,
his party associates wcro converted to his hopeful
view at first and many followed him TO tho end was
natural, when the movement was inspired and ici
by so masterful and commanding an Intellect which
had bravcd defeat and death for the rights OF men,
and been always the fist of the forlorn hope ~
liberty and REFORM In tho assault upon the almost
Imprcgnabe positions OF wrong. immortality and OPP
preston for over quarter Of century. That no
view over tho events 1872, which Is not difficult
for most men TO safely and correctly take proves to
Killed liS I BY his defeat stood near the clouds
began to gather In that active and mighty brain H1
would he Judged failure by posterity and that the
fame which he bad hoped would rest upon the praise
already Permanently injured by the preudlces and
dlstrlist aroused in thom by the calumnles OF the
canvass. Though his controversies filled the land
this great fighter for the truth he understood It,
was tho most morbidy sensitive Of mortas. and weak
nestle aGiIction, his reason and lifo succunbcd to
ridicule and Misrepresentation. We have seen death
terrors but TO witness a great mind suddenly break
and 60 out in hclpcss and hopeless darkness was the
the most painful Of tragedies.
Horace Greeley tho last OF that famous trlum-
yirite OF editors, Greeley. BENNETT and Raymond.
whose genius and individuality suboriinated tn,
functions OF great newspaper TO tho presentation OF
were personal organs. but Of phenomenal Influence:
Tho vlgor OF Mr. Grcrleys thought and tho lucidy Of
its expression carried conviction TO inc minus Oh
hundrds OF thousands Of people and he was for
nearly quarter OF century the greatest indyfna'
force IN the country. lic was 80 honest ann Ter
rncaIy in earnest right In His motives and pure
in his principles, that. Ike the spots upon the 4in,
his mistakes made moro evident the ioftiness OF hi-
purposes. His motives were Transparent that hi.
eycn a hnn ~rons he inspired more eonaa"ssS than
is Icposcd in most mcn when they arc right NC
In tho land His untimcly death hushed all hearts
President and Cabinet, Generals and soldiers, Cover
and the humble. gathered at his bier and the Nation
mourncd never before for this loss OF citizen In
private station.
Mr. Fcnton had acted with Mr.. Greeley since tho
formation OF the Republican party. They had been
eonsnted freely and often on All questions and con
tlnucd In fullest accord party measures and policies
After the d ssdution Of the famous partnership
OF seward, weed and Greeley Fcnton east his fort
uncs with tho junior mombcr Of tho hrm His islth
I'm Greslcy and constant contact with his aspirations
and views cd TO his full agreement with tho opinions.
and his fidelity 70 giving cordial support to the
ambitions OF his friend.
PRIVATE LIFE AND CHARACTER.
After retiring from the Senate. Governor Fcnton
continued active and deeply Interested in the
cess OF his party, but never again a candidate
for Office. President Hayes sent him abroad In
1873 chairman OF tho commission 10 the Interna
tonal Monetary Convention to fix The ratio OF value
between gold and silver and provide for their
mon use But his health had become impaired BY
the strain of a busy and stormy life and continued
precarious until his sudden death while sitting At h
Office desk. Tho Governor and state officers and
great multitude Of people representing tho affection
and Inspect OF large constituency, gave additional
significance and solemnlty to the last tributes 10 his
memory.
Reuben f. Fenton was markable for the full
rounded character OF his mind and disposition. No
matter how hercely The storm ragged about him he
was always serene and unmoved Though 1t was
his fortunes which were at stake he was the calmest
Of the cOmbatans. lie was the most affablc and aD-
pI oachablo Of mon, and yet until he acted none
knew either his plans his views. He listened
courteously to every one, but what he heard rarely
changed his deliberate judgment. In the heat Of
contest, when upon his decision or signature de-
pended results of tho greatest importance TO power
fu and persistent applicants, his manner Of eeeiv-
ing them led TO angry charges that no had conveyed
iaiso impressions been guilty Of bad faith but no
proof submitted and IL came 10 be admitted
tnat he was simply under The most tantalizing and
exaspcTatng conaitlons always gentleman. lie was
iauless In dress and manners, whether III the exec
utivo chamber, upon tho platform or III tie crowd
this scrupuOus oAactncss seemed 10 enhance his
popularity lie loved to mpglo freely with the peo-
pl, DuC received like Kindly greeting aud cor
dial confluence from WOrn snen fresh from the forge
merchants In their palors or counting rooms
When the history Of state comes TO be lmDartaiy
wilton, Mr.. Ienton Will DO given rank rs it, best